Relay



JulyZl, 1942. MIG. NELsEN nm. v2,290,489

:mnu

Filed pw. 2e. 195s /08 jizz/mema/wz fige, ddmwd faer Patented July 21,1942 RELAY Marvin G. Nelsen and Edward G. Baker, Chicago, lIll.,assignors to Guardian Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation oli Illinois Application December 2.6, 1939, Serial No.311,007

Claims.

The present invention relates to relays, and more particularly to relaysof the electro-magnetic type having a movable armature together withswitch means connected in an electrical circuit to be controlledincident to the movement of the armature.

In most of the electro-magnetic relays of the general type referred tothat have heretofore been designed and manufactured, the switch meansfor controlling an electrical circuit incident to the movement of thearmature usually necessitates the use of a special mounting bracketassociated with the field piece. Such construction results in a ratherawkward unitary device of substantial size limiting its field of use,and which is relatively expensive to manufacture.

One of the objects c'.' the present invention is to provide an improvedform of electro-magnetic relay of the character indicated which is ofrelatively compact form, durable, positive in operation and capable ofbeing manufactured for substantially less than equivalent devicesheretofore marketed.

Another object is to provide an improved form of electro-magnetic relayof the type indicated which is characterized. by the provision of apanel of insulating material rigidly attached to the upper end of thecore in a manner to.con stitute a head for the coil, said panel alsoserving to provide a convenient mounting surface for the switchingmeansto be actuated lincident to the movement of the armature.

A further object is to provide an improved relay device of the characterindicated wherein a panel of insulating material is rigidly attached tothe upper end of the core in a manner to constitute a head for the coiland also serve as a convenient mounting for novel switch means ofrelatively simple form and which is capable of being easily assembled.

With these and other objects in view, our invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of ourdevice-whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinaftermorerfully set forth, pointed out in our claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a relay device cmbodying the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a view part in section and part in elevation, takensubstantially as indicated at line 2 2 of Figure 1.

elevation, taken substantially as indicated at line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a relay device embodying a modified formof the present invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the relay shown in Figure d.

Figure 6 is a view part in section and part in elevation, takensubstantially as indicated at line 6--6 of Figure el.

The electro-magnetic relay illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawingincludes a stamped, metal tield piece l0 of generally U-shapedformation,` one leg of which, as indicated at ii, continues into anextension l2, bent inwardly above the field piece to serve as a stop forlimiting the movement of the armature away from the core, as hereinafterdescribed.

The upper portion of the leg Il of the field piece is reduced andshouldered as indicated at I4 in Figure 3, to provide a seat or hingemounting for an armature I6. Said armature is slotted and snugly fittedon said reduced portion of the leg li and includes a. rearwardlyextending portion l1 formed to provide an anchorage for one end of acoil spring I8, the lower end of which spring being attached to a lug 20struck out of the lower portion of the upright leg Il of the fieldpiece. The extension I2 of the leg Il is tapered as seen in the drawing,and the extreme end portion thereof is bent downwardly to a position tobe encountered by the armature I6 at its uppermost position ofadjustment, as seen in Figure 2, to which position it is yieldinglyurged by the coil spring I8.

Rigidly mounted within the U-shaped field piece I0 on a seat ofinsulating material 22 is a coil- 23 having a core 24, the upper end ofwhich extends a substantial distance above the end of the coil 23.Mounted on said extended end of the core is a panel 2B of insulatingmaterial seated closelyl against the end of said coil 23 so as toconstitute a head therefor. The panel is rigidly secured in position onthe end of the coil by staking of the end of the core at a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced apart points, as indicated at 21. The panel 25preferably includes a notched portion 26 of U-shaped form to embrace theupright leg Il of the field piece for assisting in maintaining the panelin fixed position.

'Ihe panel of insulating material in the construction illustrated ispreferably of such dimensions as to provide portions 26 projectinglater- Figure 3 is a View part in section and part in 55 ally beyondopposite sides of the armature i6.

and 30, respectively,

These portions of the panel 2t provide convenient mountings for a dualset of switch means which, as illustrated, are similarly mounted on eachof said panel portions 26". means each comprise a conductor finger 29riveted to the upper side of said portion of the panel and a conductorfinger 3B riveted to the underside of said portion of the paneliii-offset relation to nger 29, as may be seen in Figure 2. Saidconductor fingers are'dimensioned to extend forwardly beyond the edge ofthe panel and are provided with cooperating contact buttons 23 and 3138,respectively, and the other ends cf said conductor fingers are formedwith terminals 29h for connection to conduccircuits to be controlled.iingers 3e include an exend, projecting a subtor wires of electricalEach of the conductor tension 30 at the forward stantial distanceforwardly corresponding conductor ngers 29, in position to be engagedand-actuated by a transversely extending bar 32 of insulating materialrigidly attached to and projecting to opposite sides of the free endportion of the armature i6.

It is to be understood that the conductor fingers 30 are formed ofresilient material and are normally biased in a direction with respectto correspon 'ng conductor fingers 29 so as to dispose the contactbuttons 29a and 30e in engagement with each other. It will therefore beapparent that when the coil 23 is deenergized the armature i6, underinfluence of spring I8, is caused to assume a position as seen in fulllines in Figure 2 of the drawing with the 4contact buttons 29a and 3|)aof the respective switches in engagement to complete portions ofelectrical circuits to be controlled. When the coil is energized, thearmature I6 is attracted to the core 24 as indicated in dot-and-dashlines in Figure 2, and the movement of the tion causes the bar 32 todepress the extensions 30 of the conductor fingers 30 to move saidfingers against their biasing force for separating the contact buttons3|!a from their cooperating contact buttons 29,

While the switch means herein shown and described is shown in normallyclosed position when the armature is deenergized, manifestly said switchmeans may be modified so as to function inl a manner opposite to thatshown and described.

In the modified relay device illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 of thedrawing, the field piece, coil, core `and armature and certain otherelements are substantially identical to corresponding elements of theconstruction above described and for convenience like parts in saidFigures 4 to 6 are accorded the same reference characters as in Figures1 to 3, together withI the exponent "a.

In this construction a panel of insulating material indicated at ,35 issecured to the core 24 in the same manner as above describedand includesa portion 35 projecting laterally from one side of said armature I6.Mounted on said portion 358L of the panel of insulating material is aswitch device including conductor fingers 31 and 38 riveted inlongitudinally oiset relation to the upper and lower sides respectivelyof said portion 35a of the panel of insulating material. Said conductorfingers are formed as stampings and are relatively rigid and eachincludes right angularly bent, spaced apart portions 31n and 38adisposed in substantial align- Said switch beyond the end of theVarmature to such posi-- aaogasc and in spaced relation to the armature|68. Said conductorflngers are provided with extensions 31b and 38brespectively for connection to conductor wires in an electrical circuitto be controlled. Said bent portions 31 and 38 of the conductor fingersas may be seen in Figure 5' of the drawing, are bent downwardly inparallel spaced apart relation at an angle to the plane of the armaturein either its attracted or released position. The ends of said angularportions 31a and 388L are provided with spaced apart contact buttons 31and 38 respectively. Mounted on the armature i6@ in alignment with thecontact buttons 31 and 38 is a conductor iinger 39 of flexible materialhaving a portion extending forwardly beyond the free end of the armatureand bent downwardly at an angle to extend between the contact buttons31, 38C. Said conductor nger 39 is provided with a double contact button39' to alternately engage contact buttons 31c and 38C, by movement lofthe armature |61.

Due to the action of the coil spring 18a, the armature |69' is urged toits upper limit of movement when the coil 23 is deenergized, disposingthe contact button 39a of conductor finger 39 in engagement with thecontact button 31c of switch finger 31. When the coil is venergized andthe armature I6 is attracted to the core 24a the conductoriinger 39moves downwardly with the armature and disposes 4its contact button 39ain engagement with contact button 38C.

Thus, the movement of the armature alternately controls portions of twodifferent electrical circuits. 'I'he purpose of forming the conductorfinger 39 of flexible material and disposing the bent portions 31a and38a of the conductor fingers 31 and 38 respectively at an angle as abovedescribed is to permit double contact button 39a to engage the contactbuttons 31 or 38 in a wiping manner for assisting in maintaining thecontacts clean and assuring posiment with each other and extending infront of tive completion of electrical circuit through said contacts.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 one end of the coil23a is connected by a conductor wire 40 to the conductor finger 3,9 on

said armature. The other end of the coil as indicated by conductor wire42 together with the terminals 31b and 38b may be connected inelectrical circuits to be controlled by actuation of the armature of therelay.

The relay devices herein disclosed result in simplification ofconstruction, reduced labor time in assembly, and provides a relativelycompact device at substantially reduced cost as compared to theequivalent devices now available.

Although we have herein shown and described certain preferredembodiments of our invention, manifestly it is capable of furthermodification and rearrangement of parts without departing from thespirit and scope thereof. We do not, therefore, wish to be understood aslimiting this invention to the precise embodiments herein disclosed,except `as we may be so limited in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A relay including a coil and a core, a field piece having an uprightlegA disposed adjacent the coil, an armature hingedly connected at oneend to the leg of the field piece and disposed in registration with theend of the core, a relatively rigid panel of insulating material rigidlytuting a head for the coil, said panel including a portion projectinglaterally beyond one side edge of the armature, and switch means adaptedto be connected in an electrical circuit to be controlled incident tomovementV of the armature toward or away from the core, said switchmeans comprising a pair of conductor lingers rigidly attached atcorresponding ends to opposite surfaces of the laterally projectingportion of said panel of insulating material, and having terminalportions for connection to conductor wires.

2. A relay including a coil and a' core, a field piece having an uprightleg disposed adjacent the coil, an amature hingedly connected at one endto the leg of the field piece and disposed in registration with the endof the core, a relatively rigid panel of insulating material rigidlysecured to the upper end of the core and constituting a head for thecoil, said panel including a portionl projecting laterally beyond oneside edge of the armature, and switch means adapted to be connected inan electrical circuit to be controlled incident to movement of thearmature toward or away from the core, said switch means comprising apair of conductor fingers rigidly attached at corresponding endsinlongitudinally offset relation to the opposite surfaces of thelaterally projecting portion of said panel of insulating material, andhaving terminal portions for connection to conductor wires.

3. A relay including a coil and a core, a field piece having an uprightleg disposed adjacent the coil, an armature hingedly connected at oneend to the leg of the field piece and disposed in registration with theend of the core, a relatively rigid panel of insulating material rigidlysecured to the upper end of the core and constituting a head for thecoil, said panel including a portion projecting laterally beyond oneside'edge of the armature, switch means mounted on said projectingportion of the panel of insulating material and adapted to be connectedin an electrical circuit to be controlled incident to movement of thearmature toward or away from the core, said switch means including apair of switch fingers attached to opposite sides of -said portion ofthe panel of insulating material and having corresponding endsprojecting beyond the forward edge of said panel and provided withcooperating contact buttons, one of said fingers being yieldingly biasedin one direction relatively to the other finger, and a member ofinsulating material secured to the free end of the armature in positionto engage and move said yielding finger, in opposition to its biasingforce, upon attraction of said armature toward said core.

4. A relay including a coil and a core, a field piece having an uprightleg disposed adjacent the coil, an armature hingedly connected at oneend to the leg of the field piece and disposed in registration with theend of the core, a, relatively rigid panel of insulating materialrigidly secured to the upper end of the core and constituting a head forthe coil, said panel including portions extending laterally beyondopposite side edges of the armature, separate switches mounted on therespective laterally projecting portions of the panel of insulatingmaterial, each of said switches being adapted for connection inelectrical circuits to be controlled, including a pair of fingers havingcooperating contact buttons, one of said fingers of each switch beingyieldingly biased in one direction relatively to the other iinger, and amember of insulating material secured to the free end ot the amature inposition to engage and move said yielding nnextending laterally beyondone side edge of the armature, and switch means adapted to be connectedin an electrical circuit to be controlled incident to movement of thearmature toward and away from the core, said means comprising a pair ofswitch fingers connected to said portion of the panel and having spacedapart contact buttons, and a switch finger. secured to and movable withsaid armature and disposed between said contact buttons, and normally inengagement with' one of said contact buttons, said movable fingerserving to alternately engage the contact buttons of the fingers of saidpair for completing portions of electrical circuits, incident tomovement of the armature.

6. A relay including a coil and a core, a field piece having an uprightleg disposed adjacent the coil, an armature hingedly connected at oneend to the leg of the field piece and disposed `in registration with theend of the corea relatively rigid panel of insulating material rigidlysecured to the upper end of the core and constituting a head for thecoil, said panel including a portion extending laterally beyond one sideedge of the armature, and switch means adapted to be connected in anelectrical circuit to be controlled'incident to movement of the armaturetoward and away from the core, said means comprising a pair of switchfingers connected to opposite sides of said portion of the panel andhaving corresponding angularly bent spaced apart portions disposedbeyond the outer end of the panel in front of the free end of thearmature, contact buttons on leach of said bent portions, and a switchfinger secured to and movable with said armature and having an extensionprojecting between said contact buttons and normally in engagement withone of said buttons, said movable finger serving to alternately engagethe contact buttons of the fmgers of said pair for completing portionsof electrical circuits, incident to movement of the armature.

7. A relay-including a coil and a core, a iield piece having an uprightleg disposed adjacent the coil, an armature hingedly connected at oneend to the leg of the field piece and disposed in registration with theend of the core, a relatively rigid panel of insulating material rigidlysecured to the upper end of the core and constituting a. head for thecoil, said panel including a portion extending laterally beyond one sideedge of the armature, and switch means adapted to be connected in anelectrical circuit to be controlled incident to movement of the armaturetoward and away from the core, said means comprising a pair of rigidswitch fingers connected to opposite sides of said portion of the paneland having corresponding angularly bent spaced apart portions disposedbeyond the outer end of the panel in front of the free ends of thearmature, contact buttons on each of said bent portions, and a flexibleswitch finger secured to and movable with said armature and having anextension projecting between said contact buttons and normally inengagement with one of said buttons, said movable finger serving toalternately engage the contact buttons of the linger of said pair forcompleting portions of electrical circuits, incident to movement of thearmature.

8. A relay including a coil and a core, a field piece having an uprightleg disposed adjacent the coil, an armature hingedly connected at oneend to the leg of the field piece and disposed in registration with theend of the core, a relatively rigid panel of insulating material rigidlysecured to the upper end of the core and constituting a head for thecoil, said panel including a portion extending laterally beyond one sideedge of the armature, and switch means adapted to be connected in anelectrical circuit to be controlled incident to movement of the armaturetoward and away from the core, said means comprising a pair of switchfingers connected to opposite sides of said portion of the panel andhaving corresponding angularly bent spaced apart portions disposed.beyond the outer end of the panel in front of the free end of thearmature, said bent portions of the pair of switch fingers beingdisposed substantially parallel to each other at an angle to the planeof the armature at either its attracted or released position, contactbuttons on each of said bent portions, and a switch finger secured toand movable with said armature and having an extension projectingbetween said contact buttons and normally n engagement with one of saidbuttons, said movable finger serving to alternatelyengagedzhe contactbuttons of the fingers of said pair for completing portions ofelectrical circuits, incident to movement of the armature.

9. A relay including a coil and a core, a eld piece having an uprightleg disposed adjacent the coil, an armature hingedly connected at oneend to the leg of the eld piece and disposed in registration with theend of the core, a relatively rigid panel of insulating material rigidlysecured to the upper end of the Acore and constituting a head for thecoil, said panel including a portion extending laterally beyond one sideedge of the armature, and switch means adapted to be con'- nected in anelectrical circuit to be controlled incident to movement of the armaturetoward and away from the core, said means comprising a pair of switchfingers connected to opposite sides of said portion of the panel andhaving corresponding angularly bent spaced apart portions disposedbeyond the outer end of the panel in front of the free end of thearmature, said bent portions of the pair of switch lingers beingdisposed substantially parallel to each other at an angle to the planeof the armature at either its attracted or released position, Contactbuttons on each of said bent portions, and a switch finger secured andmovable with said armature and having an extension projecting atsubstantially the same angle as said bent portions between said contactbuttons and normally in engagement with one of said buttons, saidmovable finger serving to alternately engage the contact buttons of thelingers of said pair for completing portions of electrical circuits,incident to movement of the armature.

l0. A relay including a coil and a core, a iield piece having an uprightleg disposed adjacent the coil, an armature hingedly connected at oneend to the leg of the field piece and disposed in registration with theend of the core, a relatively rigid panel of insulating material rigidlysecured to the upper end of the core and constituting a head for thecoil, said panel including a portion extending laterally beyond one sideedge of the armature, and switch means adapted to be connected in anelectrical circuit to be controlled incident to movement of the armaturetoward and away from the core, said means comprising a pair of Irigidswitch fingers connected to opposite sides of said portion of the paneland having corresponding angularly bent spaced apart portions disposedbeyond the outer end of the panel in front of the free end of thearmature, said bent portions of the pair of switch fingers beingdisposed substantially parallel to each other at an angle to the planeof the armature at either its attracted or released position, contactbuttons on each of said bent portions, and a flexible switch iingersecured to and movable with said armature and having an extensionprojecting between said contact buttons and normally in engagement withone of said buttons, said movable finger serving to alternately engagethe contact buttons of the lingers of said pair for completing portionsof electrical circuits, incident to movement of the armature.

` MARVIN G. NELSEN. EDWARD G. BAKER.

